....who seemed to be a lot tougher and didn't need to resort to skimpy clothes and flirty looks. By 1957 television was awash with police shows ("Dragnet", "The Line Up", "M Squad") but not one with a female star. That changed when Beverly Garland took on the role of Casey Jones the sultry undercover cop in "Decoy". Garland had appeared in a number of TV pilots most of which went on to become regular series so she was considered a "good luck charm" and was eagerly sought for the lead in "Decoy". Filmed on the streets of New York, the show was heavily promoted and praised and broke new ground with the occasional down beat ending. It was also a valuable training ground for young stage actors wanting to try their skills on TV. Director Stuart Rosenberg went on to notable success with "The Untouchables" and "The Defenders" and films such as "Cool Hand Luke" but unfortunately "Decoy" lasted only one season - the producers didn't have the money to maintain the high standard.
Casey was hard boiled and relied just as much on substance as style. "To Trap a Thief" had her going undercover as the get away driver in an effort to recover $10,000 that seems to be missing from a robbery. "High Swing" - Albert Dekker stars as Otto, an elderly man who has resorted to crime to keep his wife supplied with the drugs she craves. "The Sound of Tears" - a man's murder reveals a possessive mother (Muriel Kirkland), a secret fiancée (don't you just love Susanne Pleshette) and a cute little dog. "Night Light" - Martin Balsam is a ruthless fence who is not above using his son as a pawn in smuggling jewels. "The Comeback" has a young Peter Falk giving a terrific performance as a crooked racing tout that Casey helps rehabilitate. Harold Huber, he of all the gangster punks of the 1930s, finally gets a chance to play Mr. Big in this episode.
Highly Recommended.
Casey was hard boiled and relied just as much on substance as style. "To Trap a Thief" had her going undercover as the get away driver in an effort to recover $10,000 that seems to be missing from a robbery. "High Swing" - Albert Dekker stars as Otto, an elderly man who has resorted to crime to keep his wife supplied with the drugs she craves. "The Sound of Tears" - a man's murder reveals a possessive mother (Muriel Kirkland), a secret fiancée (don't you just love Susanne Pleshette) and a cute little dog. "Night Light" - Martin Balsam is a ruthless fence who is not above using his son as a pawn in smuggling jewels. "The Comeback" has a young Peter Falk giving a terrific performance as a crooked racing tout that Casey helps rehabilitate. Harold Huber, he of all the gangster punks of the 1930s, finally gets a chance to play Mr. Big in this episode.
Highly Recommended.